MOUNT MAUNGANUI: New Zealand handed India a crushing 244-run defeat in the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui after bowling the visitors out for just 89 while defending a target of 334.
The defeat is India’s second-biggest loss by runs in ODI history, just one run short of their record 245-run defeat against Sri Lanka in Sharjah in 2000.
Will Young led New Zealand’s batting with a brilliant 125 off 108 balls, while Tim Seifert contributed 58 and Finn Allen added 41 as the hosts posted a formidable total.
India’s chase collapsed almost immediately. Matt Henry struck three times in the opening over, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer to leave the visitors in deep trouble. Henry finished with six wickets.
Ishan Kishan top-scored for India with 27, while Axar Patel made 21. The remaining batters failed to make a significant contribution as India were dismissed for 89, their sixth-lowest total in ODI cricket.
Despite the heavy defeat, India remain 2-1 ahead in the five-match series. The third match was abandoned due to rain.
The fifth and final ODI will be played at the same venue on Sunday. New Zealand can level the series with a victory, but cannot win it outright.
India’s heaviest ODI defeat by runs remains the 245-run loss to Sri Lanka in Sharjah in 2000.
